Hinged electronic device with chambers accommodating a dynamic flexible substrate and corresponding systems

ABSTRACT

An electronic device includes a first device housing and a second device housing. A hinge couples the first device housing to the second device housing. The first device housing is pivotable about the hinge relative to the second device housing. The hinge separates a first chamber defined by the first device housing and a second chamber defined by the second device housing. A flexible substrate passes through the first chamber and the second chamber. The flexible substrate spans the hinge, either by passing through or around a hinge housing. The flexible substrate deforms to a curvilinear deformed state within one or both of the first chamber or the second chamber when the first device housing and the second device housing pivot about the hinge from a closed position to an axially displaced open position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application claiming priority andbenefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from U.S. application Ser. No. 16/721,719,filed Dec. 19, 2019, which is a continuation application claimingpriority and benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from U.S. application Ser.No. 16/551,296, filed Aug. 26, 2019, which is a continuation applicationclaiming priority and benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from U.S.application Ser. No. 16/255,693, filed Jan. 23, 2019, each of which isincorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and moreparticularly to hinged electronic devices.

Background Art

Portable electronic communication devices, especially smartphones, havebecome ubiquitous. People all over the world use such devices to stayconnected. These devices have been designed in various mechanicalconfigurations. A first configuration, known as a “candy bar,” isgenerally rectangular in shape, has a rigid form factor, and has adisplay disposed along a major face of the electronic device. Bycontrast, a “clamshell” device has a mechanical hinge that allows onehousing to pivot relative to the other.

Some consumers prefer candy bar devices, while others prefer clamshelldevices. To satisfy the latter, it would thus be desirable to have animproved hinged electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one explanatory electronic device in accordance withone or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one explanatory electronicdevice in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure in aclosed position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of one explanatory electronicdevice in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure in apartially open position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation view of one explanatory electronicdevice in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure inan open position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one explanatory electronicdevice in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure inthe open position.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of one explanatory electronic device inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure with the flexible displayremoved so that the hinge is visible.

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of one explanatory electronic device inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure with the flexible displayand support plates removed so that details of the housing are visible.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cut away view of a hinge portion of an electronicdevice in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure whenthe electronic device is in the closed position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cut away view of a hinge portion of an electronicdevice in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure whenthe electronic device is in the open position.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of another explanatory electronicdevice in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure inthe open position.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cut away view of a hinge portion of anotherelectronic device in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure when the electronic device is in the closed position.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cut away view of a hinge portion of anotherelectronic device in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure when the electronic device is in the open position.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cut away view of a hinge portion of yet anotherelectronic device in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure when the electronic device is in the closed position.

FIG. 14 illustrates one explanatory flexible substrate in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates another explanatory flexible substrate in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates still another explanatory flexible substrate inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates various embodiments of the disclosure.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are now described in detail. Referring tothe drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. Asused in the description herein and throughout the claims, the followingterms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includesplural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Relationalterms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be usedsolely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or actionwithout necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationshipor order between such entities or actions. As used herein, componentsmay be “operatively coupled” when information can be sent between suchcomponents, even though there may be one or more intermediate orintervening components between, or along the connection path. The terms“substantially” and “about” are used to refer to dimensions,orientations, or alignments inclusive of manufacturing tolerances. Thus,a “substantially orthogonal” angle with a manufacturing tolerance ofplus or minus two degrees would include all angles between 88 and 92,inclusive. Also, reference designators shown herein in parenthesisindicate components shown in a figure other than the one in discussion.For example, talking about a device (10) while discussing figure A wouldrefer to an element, 10, shown in figure other than figure A.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an electronic device that includesat least a first device housing and a second device housing. In one ormore embodiments, a hinge couples the first device housing to the seconddevice housing so that the first device housing is pivotable about thehinge relative to the second device housing to one or more of a bentconfiguration, a folded configuration, or other configuration. In one ormore embodiments, a flexible display is coupled to the first devicehousing and the second device housing and spans the hinge. The flexibledisplay deforms when the first device housing pivots about the hingerelative to the second device housing. In other embodiments, the firstdevice housing and the second device housing each have coupled thereto aseparate display, which may be rigid or flexible. For example, a firstdisplay may be coupled to the first device housing on one side of thehinge, while a second display is coupled to the second device housing ona second side of the hinge.

In one or more embodiments, the hinge not only facilitates the bendingoperation, but also works to allow a flexible substrate, configured as aflexible printed circuit board in one embodiment, to dynamicallytransform and change lengths as a function of whether the first devicehousing and the second device housing are in the axially displaced openposition, the closed position, or somewhere in between. In one or moreembodiments, each of the first device housing and the second devicehousing includes a chamber positioned adjacent to the hinge.Illustrating by example, if the hinge runs vertically and the electronicdevice is viewed in the axially displaced open position in a plan view,a first chamber defined by the first device housing may be disposed tothe left of the hinge, while a second chamber defined by the seconddevice housing is disposed to the right of the hinge, and so forth.

The flexible substrate, in one or more embodiments, includes bothconductive and insulative layers and functions as a printed wiring boarddelivering voltage, current, and electrical signals through conductivetraces from one electrically conductive pad to another. In one or moreembodiments, the flexible substrate is used to deliver voltage, current,and electrical signals from one or more electrical circuit componentsdisposed in the first device housing to one or more other electricalcircuit components disposed in the second device housing, and viceversa.

In one or more embodiments, the flexible substrate is electricallycoupled to the one or more electrical circuit components in the firstdevice housing, and further has a first end that is mechanicallyanchored within the first device housing at a first location. Similarly,the flexible substrate is electrically coupled to the one or more otherelectrical circuit components in the second device housing, and furtherhas a second end that is mechanically anchored within the second devicehousing at a second location. The flexible substrate then passes fromthe first location through the first chamber. The flexible substratethen spans the hinge, and further passes through the second chamber tothe second location.

In one or more embodiments, when the first device housing and the seconddevice housing pivot about the hinge to the closed position, theflexible substrate is extended so as to be more slack between the firstanchor location and the second anchor location. To illustrate, in one ormore embodiments the flexible substrate defines a first dynamic regionbetween the first location where the first end is anchored in the firstdevice housing and the hinge. The flexible substrate also defines asecond dynamic region between the second location where the second endis anchored in the second device housing and the hinge. A hinge-spanningregion is then defined between the first dynamic region and the seconddynamic region.

In one or more embodiments, the first dynamic region and the seconddynamic region each extend a first distance between the hinge and thefirst location and the second location, respectively, when the firstdevice housing and the second device housing pivot about the hinge tothe closed position. In one or more embodiments, this causes a reductionof slack in the flexible substrate, as both the first dynamic region andthe second dynamic region are partially or completely straightened todefine substantially linear extensions spanning each of the firstchamber and the second chamber, respectively.

By contrast, when the first device housing and the second device housingpivot about the hinge from the closed position to the axially displacedopen position, in one or more embodiments the first dynamic region andthe second dynamic region deform. For instance, one or more bends,curves, folds, or other deformations can be introduced into the flexiblesubstrate due to the distance between the first location in the firstdevice housing and the second location in the second device housingbecoming shorter. This causes the first dynamic region and the seconddynamic region to extend a second distance between the hinge and thefirst location and the second location, respectively. In one or moreembodiments, this second distance is less than the first distance.

In one or more embodiments, this deformation of the flexible substratecauses the flexible substrate to take on a curvilinear shape. One ormore apexes and one or more nadirs may be introduced into the flexiblesubstrate. In one or more embodiments, the first chamber and the secondchamber each have an upper surface and a lower surface. These surfacescan function to limit amplitude of the one or more apexes and/or thedepth of the one or more nadirs.

In some embodiments, the surfaces are integral portions of the devicehousings. For example, the upper surface and the lower surface of thefirst chamber can comprise portions of the first device housing, whilethe upper surface and the lower surface of the second chamber compriseportions of the second device housing. In other embodiments, movablesupport plates coupled to the hinge can define the upper surfaces, whilehousing portions define the lower surfaces. A first support plate candefine the upper surface of the first chamber, while a second supportplate defines the upper surface of the second chamber, and so forth.

In one or more embodiments, the flexible substrate takes on a shape—whenviewed from the edge—that is at least partially oscillating, meaningthat the shape moves up and then moves down, optionally repeating one ormore times. This at least partially oscillating shape can take theappearance of a dampened oscillation shape, with progressively smallerapexes and nadirs. Alternatively, the at least partially oscillatingshape can have equal apexes and nadirs that are bounded by the uppersurface and lower surface of the first chamber and second chamber,respectively. Of course combinations can occur. Moreover, the flexiblesubstrate can take other shapes as well when compressing and deformingdue to the first device housing pivoting about the hinge relative to thesecond device housing from the closed position to the axially displacedopen position.

Where a flexible display is included in addition to the flexiblesubstrate, the first chamber and the second chamber can perform otherfunctions as well. These additional functions can even improve thereliability and usability of the flexible display. In one or moreembodiments, first chamber and the second chamber are configured notonly to allow the flexible substrate to deform when the first devicehousing pivots about the hinge relative to the second device housingfrom the closed position to the axially displaced open position, but arealso configured to allow the flexible display to define a service loop.

In one or more embodiments, one or more support plates are coupled tothe hinge. The one or more support plates are then pivotable about thehinge when the first device housing pivots about the hinge relative tothe second device housing. In one or more embodiments, a first supportplate is pivotally coupled to a first side of the hinge. The firstsupport plate then extends distally into the first device housing, andmore particularly into the first chamber, from the first side of thehinge. Similarly, a second support plate is pivotally coupled to asecond side of the hinge. The second support plate extends distally intothe second device housing, and into the second chamber in one or moreembodiments, from the second side of the hinge.

Where the support plates are included, the hinge housing and itscorresponding support plates serve three functions. First, they providemechanical support for the flexible display when the first devicehousing has pivoted about the hinge relative to the second devicehousing to an axially displaced open position. Second, they allow theflexible display to define a service loop when the first device housinghas pivoted about the hinge relative to the second device housing to theclosed position. Third, they provide a mechanism for the flexiblesubstrate to extend a first distance about the first support plate, thehinge, and the second support plate when the first device housing haspivoted about the hinge relative to the second device housing to theclosed position, while at the same time allowing the flexible substrateto dynamically deform and compress within each of the first chamber andthe second chamber when the first device housing has pivoted about thehinge relative to the second device housing to the axially displacedopen position.

In one or more embodiments, when the first device housing pivots aboutthe hinge relative to the second device housing to a closed position inwhich interior surfaces of the first device housing and the seconddevice housing abut, the support plates translate along inclined planeswithin the first chamber and second chamber, respectively, to recedeinto the first device housing and second device housing. Saiddifferently, when the first device housing pivots about the hingerelative to the second device housing to the closed position, thesupport plates move toward the exterior surfaces of the first devicehousing and the second device housing, thereby receding “outward” fromthe interior surfaces of the first device housing and the second devicehousing.

This “collapse” of the first support plate and the second support platecreates a cavity in the first chamber and the second chamber. Thiscavity allows the flexible display to form a service loop when theelectronic device is in the closed position. The service loop preventsthe flexible display from being damaged or developing memory in thefolded position when the electronic device is in the closed position.The collapse also serves to expand the length of the flexible substrate.When the first device housing and the second device housing are in theclosed position, the flexible substrate spans not only the hinge, butalso the “outer” surfaces of the first support plate and the secondsupport plate as well in one or more embodiments. In some embodiments,the flexible substrate is stretched so as to be substantially or fullystraight about the first support plate, the hinge, and the secondsupport plate on opposite sides of these components from the flexibledisplay.

Embodiments of the disclosure contemplate that bending operationsoccurring in a housing of an electronic device with a flexible displaycan present technical challenges. Illustrating by example, it can bedifficult to provide uniform mechanical support beneath the flexibledisplay when the electronic device is in the open position. It canfurther be difficult to limit deformation due to bending operations suchthat the deformation occurs within a predefined radius. It can stillfurther be difficult to transfer voltage, current, and other electricalsignals from circuitry in one device housing to circuitry in anotherdevice housing, about the hinge, while keeping the overall thickness ofthe device relatively small.

Advantageously, embodiments of the disclosure provide solutions to eachone of these challenges. Specifically hinges configured in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure allow the first dynamicregion and the second dynamic region of the flexible substrate to deformand bend when the first device housing and the second device housingpivot about the hinge from the closed position to the axially displacedopen position. In one or more embodiments, the flexible substrate isless slack about the hinge when the first device housing and the seconddevice housing pivot about the hinge to the closed position and moreslack between the first location and the hinge and the second locationand the hinge, respectively, when the first device housing and thesecond device housing pivot to the axially displaced open position.Additionally, where a flexible display and support plates are included,embodiments of the disclosure offer a solution that provides the neededsystem flexibility by providing support for the flexible display when inthe open position, but allows for a large radius service loop of theflexible display to occur when the electronic device is in the closedposition.

In one or more embodiments, a hinge couples a first device housing to asecond device housing. The first device housing is configured so as tobe pivotable about the hinge relative to the second device housing. Inone or more embodiments, the hinge separates a first chamber defined bythe first device housing and a second chamber defined by the seconddevice housing.

In one or more embodiments, a flexible substrate passes through thefirst chamber and the second chamber. Additionally, in one or moreembodiments the flexible substrate spans, either by passing betweenhinge body portions or around the hinge, as it passes from the firstchamber to the second chamber. In other embodiments, the flexiblesubstrate passes through a channel in the hinge.

In one or more embodiments, the flexible substrate deforms within one orboth of the first chamber or the second chamber when the first devicehousing and the second device housing pivot about the hinge from anaxially displaced open position. For example, where the flexiblesubstrate includes a first end fixedly mechanically and/or electricallycoupled to a first location within the first device housing, and asecond end that is fixedly mechanically and/or electrically coupled to asecond location within the device housing, in one or more embodimentsthe first chamber and the second chamber are situated between theselocations and the hinge. Said differently, in one embodiment the firstchamber is disposed between the first location and the hinge, while thesecond chamber is disposed between the second location and the hinge.

In one or more embodiments, slack in the flexible substrate is removedbetween the first location and the second location when the first devicehousing and the second device housing are pivoted about the hinge to theclosed position. By contrast, as the first location and the secondlocation move together due to the first device housing and second devicehousing pivoting from the closed position to the axially displaced openposition, in one or more embodiments slack is introduced into theflexible substrate, causing it to deform and take on a curvilinearshape. This curvilinear shape can define at least one apex and at leastone nadir.

In one or more embodiments, each of the first chamber and the secondchamber additionally comprise an inclined plane, which is physicallyseparated from the hinge by a predefined distance. Where the supportplates are included, a distal end of each support plate contacts theinclined plane to translate along the inclined plane when the firstdevice housing pivots about the hinge relative to the second devicehousing. Thus, if a first side of a first support plate is coupled tothe hinge, a second, distal side of the first support plate contacts theinclined plane in the support plate receiving recess of the first devicehousing. The second, distal side of the first support plate thentranslates along the inclined plane when the first device housing pivotsabout the hinge relative to the second device housing. A second supportplate and support plate receiving recess can be similarly configured inthe second device housing.

The distal ends of each of the first support plate and the secondsupport plate therefore travel, in one or more embodiments, along theirrespective inclined planes between a first position within the firstdevice housing and the second device housing, respectively, to a secondposition within the first device housing and the second device housing,respectively, when the first device housing and the second devicehousing pivot about the hinge from an axially displaced open position toa closed position.

These support plates can be used to provide mechanical support for aflexible display that spans the hinge. In one or more embodiments wherea flexible display is included, the support plates are closer to theflexible display when in the first position, and are farther from theflexible display when in the second position. In one or moreembodiments, the support plates are farther from exterior surfaces ofthe first device housing and the second device housing when in the firstposition, but are closer to those outer surfaces of the first devicehousing and the second device housing when in the second position. Thisresults in the second position being deeper within the first devicehousing and the second device housing, respectively, than the firstposition.

In one or more embodiments, the flexible display is positioned within alinear recess of the first device housing and the second device housingso that it—or a fascia disposed atop the flexible display—can be flushwith the interior surfaces of the first device housing and second devicehousing, respectively. In other embodiments, the linear recess will beomitted and the flexible display will simply sit atop planar interiorsurfaces of the first device housing and the second device housing. Ineither embodiment, when the first device housing pivots about the hingerelative to the second device housing to the axially displaced, openposition, the first support plate, the hinge, and the second supportplate bridge the linear recess (or planar interior surfaces) to providemechanical support for the flexible display. By contrast, by recedinginto the housings, the first support plate, the hinge, and the secondsupport plate define boundaries within which the flexible displaydefines a service loop when the first device housing and the seconddevice housing pivot about the hinge from the axially displaced openposition to a closed position.

Embodiments of the disclosure thus provide a novel hinge mechanism thatallows a flexible substrate with one or more electrical traces toconnect at least a first circuit element disposed within the firstdevice housing to at least a second circuit element disposed within thesecond device housing. End regions of the flexible substrate, fixed tolocations within the first device housing and the second device housing,respectively, are disposed to either side of dynamic (movable) regions.A middle region of the flexible substrate, disposed between the dynamicregions, then spans a hinge housing of the hinge, or alternativelypasses through a channel of the hinge housing.

The dynamic regions of the flexible substrate are disposed withinchambers of the first device housing and the second device housing,respectively, and thus translate from flat shape to curvilinear shape,which in one embodiment is at least partially oscillatory, as the firstdevice housing and the second device housing pivot from the closedposition to the axially displaced open position. In one or moreembodiments, upper and lower surfaces of the first chamber and thesecond chamber define upper and lower limits of the curvilinear shape ofthe flexible substrate in the dynamic regions. The middle region canthen be controlled in position by the hinge between the two dynamicregions, or alternatively can be allowed to move side-to-sideindependent of the hinge housing. For example, mechanical features,adhesives, or other devices can retain the middle region in a fixedlocation within the hinge body so that it is unable to translatelaterally in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the middle region canbe situated within the hinge body without being affixed thereto. In thislatter embodiment, the middle region may translate slightly to the leftof the hinge body, or to the right, when the first device housing andthe second device housing pivot from the closed position to the axiallydisplaced open position and vice versa.

Where a flexible display is included, hinges configured in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure can further properly support saidflexible display when a hinged electronic device is in the openposition. Embodiments of the disclosure contemplate that the mechanicalstack of the flexible display is frequently too soft or flexible tosupport itself. Accordingly, when the electronic device is in the openposition the support plates provide rigid support across the hingeportion of the electronic device. At the same time, the support platesrecede into the housing when the electronic device is folded to allowthe flexible display to form a service loop. Advantageously, the hingeand corresponding support plates define kinematic linkages that movewhen the first device housing pivots about the hinge relative to thesecond device housing to the closed position. As noted above, thesupport plates recede backwards (along the Z-axis) to provide space forthe flexible display to bend into a teardrop shaped service loop. In oneor more embodiments, one or both of the first device housing or thesecond device housing can also include a spring loaded support platethat stretches the flexible display when the electronic device is in theopen position.

Turning now to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is one explanatory electronicdevice 100 configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure. The electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 is a portable electronicdevice. For illustrative purposes, the electronic device 100 is shown asa smartphone. However, the electronic device 100 could be any number ofother devices as well, including tablet computers, gaming devices,multimedia players, and so forth. Still other types of electronicdevices can be configured in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure as will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skillin the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The electronic device 100 includes a first device housing 102 and asecond device housing 103. In one or more embodiments, a hinge 101couples the first device housing 102 to the second device housing 103.In one or more embodiments, the first device housing 102 is selectivelypivotable about the hinge 101 relative to the second device housing 103.For example, in one or more embodiments the first device housing 102 isselectively pivotable about the hinge 101 between a closed position,shown and described below with reference to FIG. 2, and an openposition, shown and described below with reference to FIGS. 4-5.

In one or more embodiments the first device housing 102 and the seconddevice housing 103 are manufactured from a rigid material such as arigid thermoplastic, metal, or composite material, although othermaterials can be used. Still other constructs will be obvious to thoseof ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Inthe illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, the electronic device 100includes a single hinge. However, in other embodiments two or morehinges can be incorporated into the electronic device 100 to allow it tobe folded in multiple locations.

This illustrative electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 includes a display105. The display 105 can optionally be touch-sensitive. In oneembodiment where the display 105 is touch-sensitive, the display 105 canserve as a primary user interface of the electronic device 100. Userscan deliver user input to the display 105 of such an embodiment bydelivering touch input from a finger, stylus, or other objects disposedproximately with the display.

In one embodiment, the display 105 is configured as an organic lightemitting diode (OLED) display fabricated on a flexible plasticsubstrate. This allows the display 105 to be flexible so as to deformwhen the first device housing 102 pivots about the hinge 101 relative tothe second device housing 103. However, it should be noted that othertypes of displays would be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of this disclosure. Illustrating by example, as willbe described in more detail with reference to FIG. 10 below, in otherembodiments multiple displays can be used. For instance, a first rigiddisplay can be coupled to the first device housing 102, while a second,separate rigid display can be coupled to the second device housing 103,with the hinge 101 separating the two displays.

Where a flexible display is used, in one or more embodiments an OLED isconstructed on flexible plastic substrates can allow the display 105 tobecome flexible with various bending radii. For example, someembodiments allow bending radii of between thirty and six hundredmillimeters to provide a bendable display. Other substrates allowbending radii of around five millimeters to provide a display that isfoldable through active bending.

Other displays can be configured to accommodate both bends and folds. Inone or more embodiments the display 105 may be formed from multiplelayers of flexible material such as flexible sheets of polymer or othermaterials. In this illustrative embodiment, the display 105 is coupledto the first device housing 102 and the second device housing 103.Accordingly, the display 105 spans the hinge 101 in this embodiment.

Features can be incorporated into the first device housing 102 and/orthe second device housing 103. Examples of such features include anoptional camera 106 or an optional speaker port 107, which are showndisposed on the rear side of the electronic device 100 in thisembodiment, but could be placed on the front side as well. In thisillustrative embodiment, a user interface component 108, which may be abutton or touch sensitive surface, can also be disposed along the rearside of the first device housing 102. As noted, any of these featuresare shown being disposed on the rear side of the electronic device 100in this embodiment, but could be located elsewhere, such as on the frontside in other embodiments.

In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes one or moreoptional connectors 109,110, which can include an analog connector, adigital connector, or combinations thereof. In this illustrativeembodiment, connector 109 is an analog connector disposed on a firstend, i.e., the top end as viewed in FIG. 1, of the electronic device100, while connector 110 is a digital/power connector disposed on asecond end opposite the first end, which is the bottom end as viewed inFIG. 1.

A block diagram schematic 111 of the electronic device 100 is also shownin FIG. 1. The block diagram schematic 111 can be configured as aprinted circuit board assembly disposed within either or both of thefirst device housing 102 or the second device housing 103 of theelectronic device 300. Various components can be electrically coupledtogether by conductors or a bus disposed along one or more printedcircuit boards. For example, some components of the block diagramschematic 111 can be configured as a first electronic circuit fixedlysituated within the first device housing 102, while other components ofthe block diagram schematic 111 can be configured as a second electroniccircuit fixedly situated within the second device housing 103. As willbe described in more detail below, a flexible substrate can then spanthe hinge 101 to electrically couple the first electronic circuit to thesecond electronic circuit.

In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes one or moreprocessors 112. In one embodiment, the one or more processors 112 caninclude an application processor and, optionally, one or more auxiliaryprocessors. One or both of the application processor or the auxiliaryprocessor(s) can include one or more processors. One or both of theapplication processor or the auxiliary processor(s) can be amicroprocessor, a group of processing components, one or more ASICs,programmable logic, or other type of processing device.

The application processor and the auxiliary processor(s) can be operablewith the various components of the electronic device 100. Each of theapplication processor and the auxiliary processor(s) can be configuredto process and execute executable software code to perform the variousfunctions of the electronic device 100. A storage device, such as memory113, can optionally store the executable software code used by the oneor more processors 112 during operation.

In this illustrative embodiment, the electronic device 100 also includesa communication circuit 114 that can be configured for wired or wirelesscommunication with one or more other devices or networks. The networkscan include a wide area network, a local area network, and/or personalarea network. Examples of wide area networks include GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA,CDMA-2000, iDEN, TDMA, 2.5 Generation 3GPP GSM networks, 3rd Generation3GPP WCDMA networks, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, and 3GPP2CDMA communication networks, UMTS networks, E-UTRA networks, GPRSnetworks, iDEN networks, and other networks.

The communication circuit 114 may also utilize wireless technology forcommunication, such as, but are not limited to, peer-to-peer or ad hoccommunications such as HomeRF, Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g or n),and other forms of wireless communication such as infrared technology.The communication circuit 114 can include wireless communicationcircuitry, one of a receiver, a transmitter, or transceiver, and one ormore antennas 115.

In one embodiment, the one or more processors 112 can be responsible forperforming the primary functions of the electronic device 100. Forexample, in one embodiment the one or more processors 112 comprise oneor more circuits operable with one or more user interface devices, whichcan include the display 105, to present, images, video, or otherpresentation information to a user. The executable software code used bythe one or more processors 112 can be configured as one or more modules116 that are operable with the one or more processors 112. Such modules116 can store instructions, control algorithms, logic steps, and soforth.

In one embodiment, the one or more processors 112 are responsible forrunning the operating system environment of the electronic device 100.The operating system environment can include a kernel and one or moredrivers, and an application service layer, and an application layer. Theoperating system environment can be configured as executable codeoperating on one or more processors or control circuits of theelectronic device 100. The application layer can be responsible forexecuting application service modules. The application service modulesmay support one or more applications or “apps.” The applications of theapplication layer can be configured as clients of the applicationservice layer to communicate with services through application programinterfaces (APIs), messages, events, or other inter-processcommunication interfaces. Where auxiliary processors are used, they canbe used to execute input/output functions, actuate user feedbackdevices, and so forth.

In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 optionally includes one ormore flex sensors 117, operable with the one or more processors 112, todetect a bending operation that causes the first device housing 102 topivot about the hinge 101 relative to the second device housing 103,thereby transforming the electronic device 100 into a deformed geometry,such as that shown in FIGS. 2-3. The inclusion of flex sensors 117 isoptional, and in some embodiment flex sensors 117 will not be included.

In one embodiment, the one or more processors 112 may generate commandsor execute control operations based on information received from thevarious sensors, including the one or more flex sensors 117, the userinterface 118, or the other sensors 119. The one or more processors 112may also generate commands or execute control operations based uponinformation received from a combination of the one or more flex sensors117, the user interface 118, or the other sensors 119. Alternatively,the one or more processors 112 can generate commands or execute controloperations based upon information received from the one or more flexsensors 117 or the user interface 118 alone. Moreover, the one or moreprocessors 112 may process the received information alone or incombination with other data, such as the information stored in thememory 113.

The one or more other sensors 119 may include a microphone, an earpiecespeaker, a second loudspeaker (disposed beneath speaker port 107), and auser interface component such as a button or touch-sensitive surface.The one or more other sensors 119 may also include key selectionsensors, proximity sensors, a touch pad sensor, a touch screen sensor, acapacitive touch sensor, and one or more switches. Touch sensors mayused to indicate whether any of the user actuation targets present onthe display 105 are being actuated. Alternatively, touch sensorsdisposed in the electronic device 100 can be used to determine whetherthe electronic device 100 is being touched at side edges or major facesof the first device housing 102 or the second device housing 103. Thetouch sensors can include surface and/or housing capacitive sensors inone embodiment. The other sensors 119 can also include audio sensors andvideo sensors (such as a camera).

The other sensors 119 can also include motion detectors, such as one ormore accelerometers or gyroscopes. For example, an accelerometer may beembedded in the electronic circuitry of the electronic device 100 toshow vertical orientation, constant tilt and/or whether the electronicdevice 100 is stationary. The measurement of tilt relative to gravity isreferred to as “static acceleration,” while the measurement of motionand/or vibration is referred to as “dynamic acceleration.” A gyroscopecan be used in a similar fashion.

Other components 120 operable with the one or more processors 112 caninclude output components such as video outputs, audio outputs, and/ormechanical outputs. Examples of output components include audio outputssuch as speaker port 107, earpiece speaker, or other alarms and/orbuzzers and/or a mechanical output component such as vibrating ormotion-based mechanisms. Still other components will be obvious to thoseof ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

It is to be understood that FIG. 1 is provided for illustrative purposesonly and for illustrating components of one electronic device 100 inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure, and is not intended to bea complete schematic diagram of the various components required for anelectronic device. Therefore, other electronic devices in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure may include various other componentsnot shown in FIG. 1, or may include a combination of two or morecomponents or a division of a particular component into two or moreseparate components, and still be within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Illustrating by example, the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1includes a single flexible display 105. By contrast, another embodimentshown below in FIG. 10 includes two separate and distinct displays, andso forth. Additionally, as will be described in more detail below, someembodiments include support plates that are pivotally coupled to a hingehousing of the hinge 101. In other embodiments, these support plateswill be omitted.

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is the electronic device 100in a closed state. In this state, the first device housing 102 has beenpivoted about the hinge 101 toward the second device housing 103 to aclosed position 201. When in the closed position 201, a front surface202 of the first device housing 102 abuts a front surface 203 of thesecond device housing 103. Effectively, the first device housing 102 andthe second device housing 103 are analogous to clam shells that havebeen shut by the claim, thereby giving rise to the “clamshell” style ofdevice.

In some embodiments, features can be included to further retain theelectronic device 100 in the closed position 201. Illustrating byexample, in another embodiment, a mechanical latch can be included toretain the first device housing 102 and the second device housing 103 inthe closed position 201. In still another embodiment, magnets can beincorporated into the front surface 202 of the first device housing 102and the front surface 203 of the second device housing 103. Forinstance, magnets can be placed in the first device housing 102 and thesecond device housing 103 to retain the first device housing 102 and thesecond device housing 103 in the closed position 201. In still otherembodiments, frictional elements can be incorporated into the hinge 101to retain the first device housing 102 and the second device housing 103in a particular position. A stator motor could be integrated into thehinge 101 as well. Still other mechanical structures and devicessuitable for retaining the electronic device 100 in the closed position201 will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the electronic device 100 is shown beingtransitioned from the closed position (201) of FIG. 2 to a partiallyopen position. Specifically, the first device housing 102 is pivotingabout the hinge 101 away from the second device housing 103 toward anopen position. The position shown in FIG. 3 is a “tent position” 301.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, illustrated therein is the electronicdevice 100 in an open position 401. In the open position, the firstdevice housing 102 is rotated about the hinge 101 so as to be axiallydisplaced 180-degrees out of phase with the second device housing 103.In such a configuration, the first device housing 102 and the seconddevice housing 103 effectively define a plane. Since this illustrativeembodiment includes a flexible display 105, the display 105 has beenelongated into a flat position.

With particular attention to FIG. 5, one or more components of the hinge101 can be seen. As will be described in more detail below, in thisillustrative embodiment the hinge 101 includes a hinge housing. A firstside 502 of the hinge housing can be seen on one side of the display105, while a second side 503 of the hinge housing can be seen on anotherside of the display 105. Optionally, a first toothed wheel 504 and asecond toothed wheel 505 can be disposed adjacent to the first side 502of the hinge housing. Where included, the toothed wheels 504,505 canengage to create a symmetric angular rotation of the first devicehousing 102 and the second device housing 103 when the first devicehousing 102 pivots about the hinge 101 relative to the second devicehousing 103.

In one or more embodiments an optional third toothed wheel 506 and anoptional fourth toothed wheel 507 are situated adjacent to the secondside 503 of the hinge housing to perform the same function. In thisillustrative embodiment, the hinge housing is situated farther interiorof the electronic device 100 than are the first toothed wheel 504, thesecond toothed wheel 505, the third toothed wheel 506, or the fourthtoothed wheel 507. Said differently, in this embodiment the hingehousing sits between the engagement of the first toothed wheel 504 andthe second toothed wheel 505, and the engagement of the third toothedwheel 506 and the fourth toothed wheel 507.

Turning now to FIG. 6, the electronic device 100 is shown with theflexible display (105), as well as any overlaying fascia, removed sothat additional details of the hinge 101 can more readily be seen. Asshown in FIG. 6, in one or more embodiments the hinge 101 includes ahinge body 601, which can link the first device housing 102 to thesecond device housing 103. The hinge body 601 can further include one ormore pivots allowing the first device housing 102 to pivot about thehinge 101 relative to the second device housing 103. Optionally, as willbe described in more detail below, one or more support plates can beincluded to translate within the first device housing 102 and the seconddevice housing 103, respectively. The use of such support plates isadvantageous when the display used in the electronic device 100 is aflexible display. However, where rigid displays are used, such as in theembodiment of FIG. 10, the support plates can optionally be omitted.

In this illustrative embodiment, a first support plate 602 is pivotallycoupled to a first side 605 of the hinge 101. The first support plate602 extends distally into the first device housing 102 from the firstside 605 of the hinge body 601. A second support plate 603 is thenpivotally coupled to a second side 606 of the hinge 101. The secondsupport plate 603 then extends distally into the second device housing103 from the second side of the hinge body 601.

In one or more embodiments, the first device housing 102 and the seconddevice housing 103 each define linear recesses 608,609 into which adisplay—be it flexible or not—may be positioned. In one or moreembodiments where a flexible display is used, the flexible display ispositioned within the linear recess 608 of the first device housing 102and the linear recess 609 of the second device housing 103 so that it—ora fascia disposed atop the flexible display (105)—sits flush with theinterior surface 610 of the first device housing 102 and the interiorsurface 611 of the second device housing 103. Where a flexible displayis used, the flexible display will span the hinge 101.

By contrast, where two displays are used, a first display can bepositioned within the linear recess 608 of the first device housing 102.A second display can then be positioned in the linear recess 609 of thesecond device housing 103. This allows each display—or a fascia disposedatop each display—to sit flush with the interior surface 610 of thefirst device housing 102 and the interior surface 611 of the seconddevice housing 103. Where two displays are used, the hinge 101 willseparate one display from the other.

In still other embodiments, the linear recess 608,609 will be omitted.The display(s), whether flexible or not, as well as any accompanyingfascia, may then simply sit atop planar surfaces defined by the interiorsurface 610 of the first device housing 102 and the interior surface 611of the second device housing 103.

Where the linear recesses 608,609 are included and a flexible display isused, the flexible display can be positioned within these linearrecesses 608,609 to span the hinge 101. Regardless of whether the linearrecesses 608,609 are included, when the first device housing 102 pivotsabout the hinge 101 relative to the second device housing 103 to theaxially displaced, open position shown in FIG. 6, the first supportplate 602, the hinge body 601, and the second support plate 603 bridgethe linear recesses 608,609 (or planar interior surfaces in the otherembodiment) to provide positive mechanical support for the flexibledisplay (105).

Where electrical components, e.g., processors, memories, communicationcircuits, and other components described in the block diagram schematic(111) of FIG. 1 are positioned in each of the first device housing 102and the second device housing 103, a flexible substrate can be includedto electrically couple these components together across the hinge 101,as will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8-9. The flexiblesubstrate, which can bend as the first device housing 102 and the seconddevice housing 103 pivot about the hinge 101 to the closed position(201), allows electrical signals to pass back and forth between circuitcomponents disposed in the first device housing 102 and the seconddevice housing 103.

In one or more embodiments, one or more spring-loaded trays can beincluded within one or both of the first device housing 102 or thesecond device housing 103. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 6, atray 604, which is spring loaded and slidable, and which is disposedwithin the first device housing 102, is visible. It should be noted thatwhile the tray 604 is shown only in the first device housing 102 in thisillustrative embodiment, it could be disposed in the second devicehousing 103 as well. Additionally, in other embodiments both the firstdevice housing 102 and the second device housing 103 could include traysas well.

In one or more embodiments, a first end of the flexible display (105)can be coupled to the second device housing 103. The second end of theflexible display (105) can then be coupled to the tray 604. In one ormore embodiments, the tray 604 is slidably coupled to the first devicehousing 102, and is biased away from the hinge 101 by a spring 607. Itshould be noted that while a spring 607 is used to bias the tray 604away from the hinge 101 in this illustrative embodiment, in otherembodiments the spring 607 can be replaced by a damper device 612. Inone or more embodiments, the damper device 612 comprises a spring with anested shock damper, which can be pneumatic or hydraulic, to dampen theaction of the spring. Other devices suitable for use instead of thespring 607 will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of this disclosure.

Once again it should be noted in the discussion of the tray 604 andspring 607 that while only one tray 604 is shown in FIG. 6, the seconddevice housing 103 could likewise include a tray that is slidablycoupled to the second device housing 103, and is biased away from thehinge 101 by at least another spring, damper device, or other springyobject. In such an embodiment, rather than being coupled to the seconddevice housing 103, the first end of the flexible display (105) could becoupled to the second tray.

In either embodiment, the spring(s) 607 biases the tray 604 away fromthe hinge 101 to flatten the flexible display (105) when the firstdevice housing 102 pivots about the hinge 101 away from the seconddevice housing 103 to the open position (401). Where a flexiblesubstrate is included, it can have its first end coupled to the seconddevice housing 103, while a second end is coupled to a tray 604. In oneor more embodiments, the spring 607 biases the tray 604 away from thehinge 101, and thus away from the second device housing 103, to removeslack from the flexible substrate when the first device housing 102 ispivoted about the hinge 101 toward the second device housing 103 to theclosed position (201).

Turning now to FIG. 7, illustrated therein is another view of theelectronic device 100 is shown with the first support plate (602) andthe second support plate (603) removed so that additional details of thefirst device housing 102 and the second device housing 103 can morereadily be seen. As shown in FIG. 7, in one or more embodiments each ofthe first device housing 102 and the second device housing 103 define afirst chamber 702 and a second chamber 703, respectively. In thisillustrative embodiment, the first chamber 702 of the first devicehousing 102 is disposed to a first side (605) of the hinge 101 and hingebody 601, while the second chamber 703 of the second device housing 103is disposed to the second side (606) of the hinge 101 and hinge body601. In this illustrative embodiment, the hinge 101 separates the firstchamber 702 defined by the first device housing 102 from the secondchamber 703 defined by the second device housing 103.

In one or more embodiments, the first chamber 702 and the second chamber703 provide recessed, open space within the first device housing 102 andthe second device housing 103, respectively, that allows the flexibledisplay (105) room to form a service loop when the first device housing102 and the second device housing 103 pivot about the hinge 101 to theclosed position (201). Such a service loop will be shown below withreference to FIG. 8. This service loop occurs due to the fact that theflexible display (105) deforms when the first device housing 102 pivotsabout the hinge 101 relative to the second device housing 103 from theaxially displaced open position (401) to the closed position (201).

In one or more embodiments, each of the first chamber 702 and the secondchamber 703 comprises an inclined plane 704,705. In this illustrativeembodiment, the first chamber 702 defines an inclined plane 704 that isdisposed distally a predefined distance 706 across a bottom surface 708of the first chamber 702 from the hinge 101. Similarly, the secondchamber 703 defines an inclined plane 705 that is disposed distally apredefined distance 707 across a bottom surface 709 of the secondchamber 703 from the hinge 101.

In this illustrative embodiment, the first device housing 102 and thesecond device housing 103 each define linear recesses 608,609 into whichthe display may be positioned. In such an embodiment, each of the firstchamber 702 and the second chamber 703 is disposed between a respectivelinear recess 608,609 and the hinge 101. For example, in thisillustrative embodiment the first chamber 702 of the first devicehousing 102 is disposed between the linear recess 608 of the firstdevice housing 102 and the hinge 101. Similarly, the second chamber 703of the second device housing 103 is disposed between the linear recess609 of the second device housing 103 and the hinge 101.

Turning now to FIG. 8, illustrated therein is a cut away view of theelectronic device 100. In this illustration, the flexible display 105 ispositioned within the linear recesses 608,609 of the first devicehousing 102 and the second device housing 103, respectively. As shown,the first device housing 102 defines the first chamber 702, while thesecond device housing 103 defines the second chamber 703.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first device housing 102 and the second devicehousing 103 have been pivoted about the hinge 101 to the closed position(201). In one or more embodiments, when this occurs, a distal end802,803 of each of the first support plate 602 and the second supportplate 603 travels along its respective inclined plane 704,705 between afirst position (shown in FIG. 9) within the first device housing 102 andthe second device housing 103, respectively, to a second position (shownin FIG. 8) within the first device housing 102 and the second devicehousing 103, respectively.

The distal ends 802,803 of each of the first support plate 602 and thesecond support plate 603 therefore travel, in one or more embodiments,along their respective inclined planes 704,705 through the first chamber702 and the second chamber 703 between the first position of FIG. 9within the first device housing 102 and the second device housing 103,respectively, to the second position of FIG. 8 within the first devicehousing 102 and the second device housing 103, respectively, when thefirst device housing 102 and the second device housing 103 pivot aboutthe hinge 101 from an axially displaced open position (401) to theclosed position (201) of FIG. 8. When this occurs, the first supportplate 602, the hinge body 601, and the second support plate 603 defineboundaries within which the flexible display 105 defines a service loop805. The area opened for the service loop 805 by the translation of thefirst support plate 602 and the second support plate 603, in oneembodiment, has a radius of at least five millimeters. Such a radiusprevents the flexible display 105 from kinking or folding. It also worksto minimize mechanical memory problems when the first device housing 102and the second device housing 103 pivot about the hinge 101 to the openposition (401).

Also shown in FIG. 8 is the flexible substrate 808. In one or moreembodiments, the flexible substrate provides a reliable electrical linkthrough the hinge 101 between a first electronic circuit 809 disposed inthe first device housing 102 and a second electronic circuit 810disposed in the second device housing 103. Each of the first electroniccircuit 809 and the second electronic circuit 810 can be configured asone or more electrical components, e.g., resistors, capacitors,inductors, integrated circuit chips, and so forth, coupled to a printedcircuit board so as to form a printed circuit board assembly.

The first electronic circuit 809 can include a first circuit board,while the second electronic circuit 810 can include a second circuitboard, and so forth. In one embodiment, each of the first circuit boardand the second circuit board can be manufactured from multiple layers.Some layers can be selectively placed conductive metal, such as copperor aluminum, while other layers can be insulative. Insulative layers canbe manufactured from fiberglass, FR4, or other materials. In one or moreembodiments, each of the first circuit board and the second circuitboard comprises a fiberglass printed circuit board. In anotherembodiment, each of the first circuit board and the second circuit boardis a FR4 printed circuit board.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 8, the flexible substrate 808passes through the first chamber 702 and the second chamber 703, andfurther spans the hinge 101, to electrically connect the firstelectronic circuit 809 to the second electronic circuit 810. In thisillustrative embodiment, the flexible substrate 808 spans the hinge 101by passing between a first portion of the hinge body 601 and a secondportion of the hinge body 601. Power (voltage and current), digitalsignals, analog signals, common nodes (e.g., ground or Vcc), and otherelectrical connections can be made by electrically coupling the flexiblesubstrate 808 to both the first electronic circuit 809 and the secondelectronic circuit 810.

In one embodiment, the flexible substrate 808 comprises flexible copperconductors encapsulated in a flexible insulative material. One exampleof such an insulative material is Kapton™ manufactured by DuPont. Theflexible substrate 808, in addition to having flexible conductorsrunning within the substrate, may also have conductive pads and tracesatop the substrate for coupling to the printed circuit boards or otherelectrical connections of the first electronic circuit 809 and thesecond electronic circuit 810, respectively.

In one or more embodiments, the flexible substrate 808 includes a firstmajor face 811 and a second major face 812. Components can optionally becoupled to either of the first major face 811 or the second major face812. Alternatively, the first major face 811 and/or second major face812 may simply couple to other substrates, such as the printed circuitboards of the first electronic circuit 809 or the second electroniccircuit 810. In still further embodiments, the first major face 811 andthe second major face 812 can be coated with special coatings,structural reinforcements, metal traces for shielding purposes, or otherfeatures. Still other configurations for the first major face 811 andthe second major face 812 will be obvious to those of ordinary skill inthe art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In one or more embodiments, when the first device housing 102 and thesecond device housing 103 pivot about the hinge 101 from an axiallydisplaced open position (401) to the closed position (201) of FIG. 8,this mechanical operation applies forces to the flexible substrate 808.In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 8, the flexible substrate 808includes, and extends between, a first end 813 and a second end 814. Inone or more embodiments, the first end 813 is fixedly coupled at a firstlocation 815 within the first device housing 102. Similarly, the secondend 814 is fixedly coupled at a second location 816 within the seconddevice housing 103.

With the first end 813 and the second end 814 fixed at the firstlocation 815 and the second location 816, respectively, when the firstdevice housing 102 pivots about the hinge 101 relative to the seconddevice housing 103 to the closed position (201), this causes the firstlocation 815 to separate from the second location 816 as the distance ismeasured through the path taken by the flexible substrate 808. In thisillustrative embodiment, the movement of the first location 815 awayfrom the second location 816, and thus the first end 813 away from thesecond end 814, causes the flexible substrate 808 to remove deformationsfrom a deformed state between the first location 815 and the secondlocation 816. Said differently, the flexible substrate 808 is becomesless slack about the hinge 101 when the first device housing 102 and thesecond device housing 103 are pivoted about the hinge 101 to the closedposition (201) in this illustrative embodiment.

In this particular embodiment, the flexible display 105 is included, asare the first support plate 602 and the second support plate 603. Asdescribed above, the first support plate 602 is pivotally coupled to afirst side 817 of the hinge body 601. The first support plate 602extends distally into the first chamber 702 from the first side 817 ofthe hinge body 601. Similarly, the second support plate 603 is pivotallycoupled to a second side 818 of the hinge body 601. The second supportplate 603 extends distally into the second chamber 703 from the secondside 818 of the hinge body 601. The distal end 802 of the first supportplate 602 and the distal end 803 of the second support plate 603 eachtravel along its respective inclined plane 704,705 between a firstposition within the first chamber 702 and the second chamber 703,respectively, as shown in FIG. 9, to a second position within the firstchamber 702 and the second chamber 703, respectively, as shown in FIG.8, when the first device housing 102 and the second device housing 103pivot about the hinge 101 from the axially displaced open position (401)to the closed position (201).

The translation of the first support plate 602 and the second supportplate 603 along the inclined planes 704,705 from a shallow position(FIG. 9) within the first device housing 102 and the second devicehousing 103, to the deep position within the first device housing 102and the second device housing 103 shown in FIG. 8, when the first devicehousing 102 pivots about the hinge 101 relative to the second devicehousing 103 from the axially displaced open position (401) to the closedposition (201) results in the first support plate 602 and the secondsupport plate 603 abutting the second major face 812 of the flexiblesubstrate 808 when the first device housing 102 and the second devicehousing 103 are in the closed position (201).

Turning now to FIG. 9, the first device housing 102 and the seconddevice housing 103 have been rotated about the hinge 101 to the axiallydisplaced open position (401). When this occurs, due to the action ofthe hinge body 601, the distal ends 802,803 of the first support plate602 and the second support plate 603 translate up their respectiveinclined planes 704,705, through the first chamber 702 and the secondchamber 703, from the second position of FIG. 8 to the first positionshown in FIG. 9. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 9, when thedistal ends 802,803 of the first support plate 602 and the secondsupport plate 603 fully translate up their respective inclined planes704,705 from the second position of FIG. 8 to the first position shownin FIG. 9, they sit atop ends 902,903 of the inclined planes 704,705.

In this position, and as shown in FIG. 9, when the distal ends 802,803of the first support plate 602 and the second support plate 603 fullytranslate up their respective inclined planes 704,705 from the secondposition of FIG. 8 to the first position shown in FIG. 9, the firstsupport plate 602, the hinge body 601, and the second support plate 603bridge the linear recess 608 of the first device housing 102 and thelinear recess 609 of the second device housing 103 when the first devicehousing 102 and the second device housing 103 are in an axiallydisplaced open position shown in FIG. 9.

In one or more embodiments, when the first device housing 102 and thesecond device housing 103 pivot about the hinge 101 from the closedposition (201) to the axially displaced open position (401) of FIG. 9,this mechanical operation applies forces to the flexible substrate 808by shortening the distance between the first location 815 and the secondlocation 816. In one or more embodiments, when this occurs, i.e., theflexible substrate 808 deforms to a deformed state as shown in FIG. 9.

In FIG. 9, when the first device housing 102 and the second devicehousing 103 pivot about the hinge 101 from the closed position (201) tothe axially displaced open position (401), the first chamber 702 issituated between the first location 815 and the hinge 101. Similarly,when the first device housing 102 and the second device housing 103pivot about the hinge 101 from the closed position (201) to the axiallydisplaced open position (401), the second chamber 703 is situatedbetween the second location 816 and the hinge 101. Since the distal ends802,803 of the first support plate 602 and the second support plate 603have translated up their respective inclined planes 704,705 from thesecond position of FIG. 8 to the first position shown in FIG. 9, thefirst support plate 602, the second support plate 603, and the hingebody 601 work in tandem to mechanically support the flexible display105.

Moreover, translation of the first support plate 602 and the secondsupport plate 603 to the first position shown in FIG. 9 creates adynamic region 904 in the first chamber 702 and another dynamic region905 in the second chamber 703 within which the flexible substrate 808can deform. As shown in FIG. 9, in one or more embodiments the flexiblesubstrate 808 defines a curvilinear shape 906 in one or both of thefirst dynamic region 904 of the first chamber 702 and/or the seconddynamic region 905 of the second chamber 703 when the first devicehousing 102 and the second device housing 103 are pivoted about thehinge 101 to the axially displaced open position (401).

In this illustrative embodiment, the curvilinear shape 906 defines atleast a partially oscillating shape that defines at least one apex 907and at least one nadir 908. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 9,the at least partially oscillating shape is a dampened curvilinear wave,with apexes 909 farther from the hinge 101 having lower amplitudes thanapexes 907 near the hinge 101.

In one or more embodiments, the first chamber 702 and the second chamber703 can each have an upper surface and a lower surface that limit anamplitude of the at least one apex 907 and the depth of the at least onenadir 908. In this illustrative embodiment, the lower surfaces 930,931comprise portions of the first device housing 102 and the second devicehousing 103, while the upper surfaces are defined by the first supportplate 602 and the second support plate 603. In other embodiments, aswill be described below with reference to FIG. 11, the upper surface andthe lower surface of the first chamber 702 can comprise portions of thefirst device housing 102, while the upper surface and the lower surfaceof the second chamber 703 comprise portions of the second device housing103.

In this illustrative embodiment, the nadir 908 is bounded, or limited,by the lower surfaces 930,931 of the first chamber 702 and the secondchamber 703, respectively, while the apex 907 closest to the hinge 101is bounded, or limited, by the first support plate 602 and the secondsupport plate 603, respectively. Thereafter, the next closest apex 909extends from the lower surfaces 930,931 of the first chamber 702 andsecond chamber 703, respectively, but avoids contact with the firstsupport plate 602 and the second support plate 603, respectively.

While this is one possible deformation for the flexible substrate 808,embodiments of the disclosure are not so limited. In another embodiment910, the curvilinear shape 906 defines at an oscillating shape thatagain defines at least one apex 914 and at least one nadir 915. In thisembodiment 910, the oscillating shape is a curvilinear shape havingapexes 916 farther from the hinge 101 with common amplitudes with apexes914 near the hinge 101, as both are bounded by the first support plate602 and the second support plate 603, respectively. Similarly, eachnadir 915 has a common low point due to the fact that they are eachbounded by the lower surfaces 930,931 of the first chamber 702 and thesecond chamber 703, respectively.

In another embodiment 911, rather than defining an oscillatory waveshape or partially oscillatory shape extending along a line parallel tothe flexible display 105, the curvilinear shape 906 is a verticallyoriented oscillatory shape 917 extending along a line that is orthogonalor substantially orthogonal with the plane defined by the flexibledisplay 105. In still another embodiment 912, where sections 918 of theflexible substrate 808 are configured to be stiffer than other portions919 of the flexible substrate 808, the flexible substrate 808 can deforminto substantially piecewise linear shape 920 with sections 918 of theflexible substrate 808 that are configured to be stiffer beingsubstantially straight, while bends occur in other portions 919 of theflexible substrate 808.

In still another embodiment 913, a combination of curvilinear andpiecewise linear shapes can result due to the deformation. Dependingupon the dimensions of the first chamber 702 and the second chamber 703,the distance between the first location 815 and the second location 816,the length of the flexible substrate 808, and the physical configurationof the flexible substrate 808, other shapes can occur due to deformationas well. Additionally, while the deformation is shown as beingsubstantially symmetrical about the hinge 101 in FIG. 9, in otherembodiments the deformation will be asymmetrical. Deformation may begreater to the left of the hinge 101 or to the right of the hinge 101.

Turning now back to FIG. 8, in one or more embodiments the hinge body601 comprises a pivot cover 830 that is coupled to a backer 820. Each ofthe pivot cover 830 and the backer 820 can be a piece of plastic ormetal. In one or more embodiments, the pivot cover 830 and the backer820 abut and can be attached together such that the flexible substrate808 passes between the backer 820 and the pivot cover 830. In oneembodiment, the backer 820 includes a mechanical feature 821, which canbe a snap, latch, male protrusion, or female receiver, which engages acomplementary mechanical feature 822 of the pivot cover 830 to keep thebacker 820 in a constant position or alignment relative to the pivotcover 830 when the first device housing 102 pivots about the hinge 101relative to the second device housing 103.

In one or more embodiments, the inclusion of a backer 820 attached tothe pivot cover 830 keeps the flexible substrate 808 centrally locatedbetween the first location 815 and the second location 816, as well asfixedly located within the hinge body 601. In other embodiments, evenwhere a backer 820 is included, the flexible substrate 808 is allowed totranslate freely between the backer 820 and the pivot cover 830 when thefirst device housing 102 pivots about the hinge 101 relative to thesecond device housing 103. The backer 820 and/or pivot cover 830 canadvantageously include one or more mechanical features that allowportions of the first device housing 102 and the second device housing103 to engage to retain each in the axially displaced open position(401), as shown in FIG. 9. In other embodiments, the hinge body 601 willbe a unitary part without a separate backer 820.

As best seen in FIG. 8, in one or more embodiments where the first end813 of the flexible substrate 808 is anchored within the first devicehousing 102 at the first location 815, and where the second end 814 ofthe flexible substrate is anchored within the second device housing 103at the second location 816, the flexible substrate defines a firstdynamic region 823 and a second dynamic region 825. In one embodiment,the first dynamic region 823 is defined between the first location 815and the hinge body 601, while the second dynamic region 825 is definedbetween the second location 816 and the hinge body 601. A hinge-spanningregion 824, where the flexible substrate 808 spans the hinge body 601,is then defined between the first dynamic region 823 and the seconddynamic region 825.

By comparing FIG. 8 to FIG. 9, it can be seen that in one or moreembodiments the first dynamic region 823 and the second dynamic region825 deform to a deformed state when the first device housing 102 pivotsabout the hinge 101 from the closed position (201) shown in FIG. 8 tothe axially displaced open position (401) shown in FIG. 9. The firstdynamic region 823 and the second dynamic region 825 extending a firstdistance 826 between the hinge body 601 and the first location 815 andthe second location 816, respectively, when the first device housing 102and the second device housing 103 pivot about the hinge 101 from theaxially displaced open position (401) of FIG. 9 to the closed position(201) of FIG. 8. By contrast, the first dynamic region 823 and thesecond dynamic region 825 extend a second distance 921 between the hingebody 601 and the first location 815 and the second location 816,respectively, when the first device housing 102 and the second devicehousing 103 pivot about the hinge 101 from the closed position (201) ofFIG. 8 to the axially displaced open position (401) of FIG. 9. In theillustrative embodiment of FIGS. 8-9, the second distance 921 is lessthan the first distance 826, which results in the deformation of thefirst dynamic region 823 of the flexible substrate 808 and the seconddynamic region 825 of the flexible substrate 808 into the deformed stateshown in FIG. 9.

In this illustrative embodiment, both the first dynamic region 823 andthe second dynamic region 825 deform by transitioning from asubstantially straight shape, shown in FIG. 8, to a curvilinear shape,shown in FIG. 9. Where the deformation is unsymmetrical, only one of thefirst dynamic region 823 or the second dynamic region 825 may deform bytransitioning from a substantially straight shape to a curvilinearshape, as noted above. Additionally, where the deformation isunsymmetrical, the first dynamic region 823 may deform more than thesecond dynamic region 825, or vice versa, when the flexible substrate808 is in the deformed state.

In FIG. 8, the flexible substrate 808 spans an interior portion of thehinge body 601 between the backer 820 and the pivot cover 830. In FIG.9, the flexible display 105 spans an outer (upward as viewed in FIG. 9)side of the hinge body 601. Thus, in this illustrative embodiment, theflexible display 105 spans a first side of the pivot cover 830, whilethe flexible substrate 808 spans a second side of the pivot cover 830.As will be shown in more detail below with reference to FIG. 15, inother embodiments the flexible substrate 808 can pass through aninterior channel defined through the hinge body 601, while the flexibledisplay 105 spans an exterior side of the hinge body 601. Otherconfigurations for the flexible display 105 and the flexible substrate808 will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure.

As noted above, the dynamic changes in shape and length of the flexiblesubstrate 808 allow the flexible substrate 808 to deform by taking onmore slack between the first location 815 and the second location 816.This deformation can occur to either side, i.e., to the right and/or tothe left, of the hinge 101. This deformation to either side of the hinge101 is in contrast to prior art designs where deformation occurs withinthe hinge 101. The dynamic changes in shape and length can occurregardless of whether a flexible display 105 is included. The dynamicchanges in shape and length can further occur regardless of whetherfirst support plate 602 and the second support plate 603 are included.Turning now to FIG. 10, illustrated therein is one embodiment where theflexible display and support plates are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, an electronic device 1000 includes a first devicehousing 1002 and a second device housing 1003. A hinge 1001, whichcomprises a hinge body 1004, couples the first device housing 1002 tothe second device housing 1003. The first device housing 1002 ispivotable about the hinge 1001 relative to the second device housing1003 between an axially displaced open position and a closed position,as previously described.

Rather than having a flexible display, in this embodiment the electronicdevice 1000 includes a first display 1005 coupled to the first devicehousing 1002 and a second display 1006 coupled to the second devicehousing 1003. Thus, in addition to separating the first device housing1002 from the second device housing 1003, the hinge 1001 separates thefirst display 1005 from the second display 1006 as well.

Turning now to FIG. 11, illustrated therein is a cut away view of theelectronic device 1000. In this illustration, the first display 1005 andthe second display 1006 face each other, and can even abut, when thefirst device housing 1002 and the second device housing 1003 pivot aboutthe hinge 1001 to the closed position shown in FIG. 11.

As before, the first device housing 1002 defines the first chamber 1102,while the second device housing 1003 defines the second chamber 1103. Inthis illustrative embodiment, the first chamber 1102 and the secondchamber 1103 each having an upper surface 1104,1105 and a lower surface1106,1107. As before, the upper surfaces 1104,1105 and lower surfaces1106,1107 of the first chamber 1102 and the second chamber 1103 canfunction to limit an amplitude of at least one apex and a depth of atleast one nadir formed in the flexible substrate 808.

In this illustrative embodiment, the upper surface 1104 and the lowersurface 1106 of the first chamber 1102 comprise portions of the firstdevice housing 1002. Similarly, in this illustrative embodiment theupper surface 1105 and the lower surface 1107 of the second chamber 1103comprise portions of the second device housing 1003. These portions canbe physical walls or surfaces that are integrally formed into the firstdevice housing 1002 and second device housing 1003, respectively.Illustrating by example, where the first device housing 1002 and thesecond device housing 1003 are formed from plastic using an injectionmolding process, the upper surfaces 1104,1105 and lower surfaces1106,1107 can be formed as walls in the parts defining the first devicehousing 1002 and second device housing 1003. Other techniques forintegrating the upper surfaces 1104,1105 and lower surfaces 1106,1107into the first device housing 1002 and the second device housing 1003will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefitof this disclosure.

In this embodiment, a hinge body 1004 of the hinge 1001 is stillpresent. However, since the first display 1005 and the second display1006 are rigid displays in this embodiment, the support plates have beenomitted. In other embodiments, the support plates (602,603) of FIGS. 8-9could still be included despite the fact that the first display 1005 andthe second display 1006 are rigid displays. Where included, the uppersurfaces 1104,1105 of the first chamber 1102 and the second chamber 1103can be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, the flexible substrate 808 spans an interior of thehinge body 1004. As before, the flexible substrate 808 includes a firstend 813 anchored within the first device housing 1002 at a firstlocation 815. The flexible substrate 808 also includes a second end 814that is anchored within the second device housing 1003 at a secondlocation 816.

In FIG. 11, the first device housing 1002 and the second device housing1003 have been pivoted about the hinge 1001 to the closed position. Thiscauses a reduction in slack in the flexible substrate 808. By contrast,turning now to FIG. 12, when the first device housing 1002 is pivotedabout the hinge 1001 to the axially displaced open position, slack isincreased in the flexible substrate 808 between the first location 815and the second location 816. In this illustrative embodiment, theflexible substrate 808 is more slack between the first location 815 andthe hinge body 1004, and the second location 816 and the hinge body1004, respectively, when the first device housing 1002 and the seconddevice housing 1003 pivot to the axially displaced open position due tothe fact that the first device housing 1002 and the second devicehousing 1003 each define a dynamic chamber 1202,1203 within which theflexible substrate 808 can deform. By contrast, the flexible substrate808 is less slack between the first location 815 and the hinge body1004, and the second location 816 and the hinge body 1004, respectively,when the first device housing 1002 and the second device housing 1003pivot to the closed position due to the fact that the first location 815and the second location 816 each move further from the locations atwhich the flexible substrate 808 exits the hinge body 1004 and entersthe corresponding dynamic chamber 1202,1203 of the first device housing1002 and the second device housing 1003.

Turning now to FIG. 13, illustrated therein is a cut away view of yetanother electronic device 1300. The electronic device 1300 includes afirst device housing 1302 and a second device housing 1303. A hinge 1301movably joins the first device housing 1302 to the second device housing1303. The first device housing 1302 defines a first chamber 1322, whilethe second device housing 1303 defines a second chamber 1304. A hingebody 1305 of the hinge 1301 separates both the first device housing 1302from the second device housing 1303 and the first chamber 1322 from thesecond chamber 1304.

The first device housing 1302 and the second device housing 1303 arepivoted about the hinge 1301 to a closed position. A flexible substrate1308 provides an electrical conduit through the hinge 1301 between afirst electronic circuit element 1306 disposed in the first devicehousing 1302 and a second electronic circuit element 1307 disposed inthe second device housing 1303.

The flexible substrate 1308 passes through the first chamber 1322 andthe second chamber 1304. The flexible substrate 1308 also spans thehinge 1301 by passing through a channel 1309 defined in the hinge body1305. Power, digital signals, analog signals, common nodes, and otherelectrical connections can be made by electrically coupling the flexiblesubstrate 1308 to both the first electronic circuit element 1306 and thesecond electronic circuit element 1307.

The flexible substrate 1308 includes end regions 1310,1311 that aremechanically fixed to a first location 1312 in the first device housing1302 and a second location 1313 in the second device housing 1303,respectively. The portions of the flexible substrate 1308 passingthrough the first chamber 1322 and the second chamber 1304 each definedynamic or movable regions between the first location 1312 and the hingebody 1305 and the second location 1313 and the hinge body 1305,respectively. A middle region of the flexible substrate 1308 passesthrough the channel 1309 of the hinge body 1305. As shown in FIG. 13,the middle region is between the two dynamic regions.

In this illustrative embodiment, as with previous embodiments, the hingebody 1305 defines a first axis of rotation 1314 about which the firstdevice housing 1302 and the hinge body 1305 rotate relative to eachother. The hinge body 1305 also defines a second axis of rotation 1315about which the second device housing 1303 and the hinge body 1305rotate relative to each other. Accordingly, the hinge body 1305 movablyjoins the first device housing 1302 and the second device housing 1303at the first axis of rotation 1314 and the second axis of rotation 1315.

In one or more embodiments, the first chamber 1322 defines a firstsurface 1316 and a second surface 1317. In this embodiment, the firstsurface 1316 comprises a movable support plate pivotally coupled to thehinge body 1305, while the second surface 1317 comprises a portion ofthe first device housing 1302. In similar fashion, the second chamber1304 defines a first surface 1318 and a second surface 1319. The firstsurface 1318 is a movable support plate pivotally coupled to the hingebody 1305, while the second surface 1319 comprises a portion of thesecond device housing 1303. As arranged in FIG. 13, the flexiblesubstrate 1308 resides between the first surface 1316 and the secondsurface 1317 of the first chamber 1322. The flexible substrate 1308 alsoresides between the first surface 1318 and the second surface 1319 ofthe second chamber 1304.

The portions of the flexible substrate 1308 passing through the firstchamber 1322 and the second chamber 1304 each define dynamic regions. Adistal end of the first surface 1316 of the first chamber 1322, shownhere as a first support plate, and a distal end of the first surface1318 of the second chamber 1304, shown here as a second support plate,each travel along an inclined plane 1320,1321 between a first positionwithin the first chamber 1322 and the second chamber 1304, respectively,to a second position within the first chamber 1322 and the secondchamber 1304, respectively, as previously described when the firstdevice housing 1302 and the second device housing 1303 pivot about thehinge 1301 from the closed position to an axially displaced openposition as previously described.

The translation of the first support plate and the second support platecauses the distance between the first surfaces 1316,1318 and the secondsurfaces 1317,1319 of the first chamber 1322 and the second chamber 1304to separate. In one or more embodiments, the dynamic regions of theflexible substrate 1308 then translate from a flat shape to acurvilinear shape as the first device housing 1302 and second devicehousing 1303 move apart about their axes of rotation 1314,1315. In oneor more embodiments, the first surfaces 1316,1318 and the secondsurfaces 1317,1319 of the first chamber 1322 and the second chamber 1304control the upper and lower limits of the curvilinear shapes of thedynamic regions of the flexible substrate 1308. The hinge body 1305, andin particular the channel 1309 within the hinge body 1305, can controlthe position of the middle region of the flexible substrate between thefirst device housing 1302 and the second device housing 1303 in one ormore embodiments.

Turning now to FIG. 14, illustrated therein is one illustrative flexiblesubstrate 808 configured in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure. In one or more embodiments, the flexible substrate 808comprises one or more layers of insulative material 1401, which canencapsulate one or more conductive electrical traces 1402 sandwichedbetween the one or more layers of insulative material 1401. One or moreconductive electrical pads 1403,1404 can be exposed in the insulativematerial 1401. The one or more conductive electrical traces 1402 cancouple a first conductive pad 1403 to a second conductive pad 1404, andso forth. For illustration purposes, the one or more conductiveelectrical traces 1402 are shown as passing back and forth between theconductive electrical pads 1403,1404 in a serpentine fashion. This isillustrative only so as to convey that many electrical traces can bearranged as required by a particular application between the one or morelayers of insulative material 1401. The flexible substrate 808 caninclude one or more apertures 1405,1406 or other mechanical featuresthat allow the first end 1407 and second end 1408 of the flexiblesubstrate 808 to be anchored within a device housing.

In this illustrative embodiment, the flexible substrate 808 isconfigured as a rectangle having a length of about seventy-twomillimeters and a width of about twelve millimeters. The rectangularshape is illustrative only, as the flexible substrate 808 could beconfigured in a myriad of other shapes as needed by application.

In this illustrative embodiment, the flexible substrate defines a firstdynamic region 823 and a second dynamic region 825. A hinge-spanningregion 824 separates the first dynamic region 823 and the second dynamicregion 825. In this illustrative embodiment, the collective width of thefirst dynamic region 823, the second dynamic region 825, and thehinge-spanning region 824 is about fifty millimeters.

Turning now to FIG. 15, illustrated therein is another illustrativeflexible substrate 1508 configured in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. One or more layers of insulative material1501 encapsulate one or more conductive electrical traces 1502 in asandwiched format. In one embodiment, the one or more layers ofinsulative material 1501 encapsulate a single layer of one or moreconductive electrical traces 1502 in a sandwiched format. However, inother embodiments, the one or more layers of insulative material 1501will include a plurality of layers of insulative material so as toencapsulate multiple layers of conductive electrical traces. Otherconfigurations for the flexible substrate 1508 will be obvious to thoseof ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Inone or more embodiments, one or more conductive electrical pads1503,1504 can be exposed in the insulative material 1501, and can becoupled electrically by the one or more conductive electrical traces1502. The flexible substrate 1508 can include one or more apertures1505,1506 or other mechanical features that allow the first end 1507 andsecond end 1509 of the flexible substrate 1508 to be anchored within adevice housing.

In this illustrative embodiment, the flexible substrate 1508 isconfigured as a double-tapering polygon having a length of betweenseventy-three millimeters and seventy-four millimeters, and a width ofabout twenty-seven millimeters. The first end 1507 and the second end1509 are narrower than is the movable region, which includes a firstdynamic region 1523, a hinge spanning region 1524, and a second dynamicregion 1525. In this embodiment, the movable region has a length ofbetween fifty-one and fifty-two millimeters. The double-tapering polygonincludes a generally rectangular shape for the movable region, boundedat each end by a frustoconical tapering portion. The frustoconicaltapering portions are then bounded by the generally rectangular firstend 1507 and second end 1509. This double-tapering polygon illustratesthe fact that flexible substrates configured in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure can be configured in a variety ofdifferent shapes.

Turning now to FIG. 16, illustrated therein is another illustrativeflexible substrate 1608 configured in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. In this illustrative embodiment, a firstflexible substrate 1601 and a second flexible substrate 1602 areadhesively bonded together using adhesive 1603, which is selectivelydisposed in two adhesive regions 1604,1605. The first adhesive region1604 is configured as a baseball home plate in this embodiment, whilethe second adhesive region 1605 is configured as a rectangle. Theseshapes and locations for the adhesive regions 1604,1605 are illustrativeonly, as numerous others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill inthe art having the benefit of this disclosure.

A movable region separates a first end 1606 and a second end 1607 of theflexible substrate 1608. As before, the movable region includes a firstdynamic region 1623, a hinge spanning region 1624, and a second dynamicregion 1625. The use of adhesive 1603 at the first end 1606 and thesecond end 1607 advantageously allows for an air gap to remain betweenthe first flexible substrate 1601 and the second flexible substrate 1602in the movable region. Double-layered tails 1609,1610 can extend fromthe second end 1607 of the first flexible substrate 1601 and the secondflexible substrate 1602 for routing to electrical components. Similarly,electrical connectors 1611,1612,1613,1614 can be coupled to one or bothof the first end 1606 or the second end 1607 for coupling to electricalcircuit elements in one or more embodiments. (Note that in oneembodiment, an electrical connector similar to electrical connector 1614appears at the end of first flexible substrate 1601 at the end oppositethat at which electrical connector 1611 is positioned on the bottom sideof first flexible substrate 1601.)

Turning now to FIG. 17, illustrated therein are various embodiments ofthe disclosure. At 1701, an electronic device comprises a first devicehousing and a second device housing. At 1701, the electronic devicecomprises a hinge coupling the first device housing to the second devicehousing. At 1701, the first device housing is pivotable about the hingerelative to the second device housing.

At 1701, the hinge separates a first chamber defined by the first devicehousing from a second chamber defined by the second device housing. At1701, a flexible substrate passes through the first chamber and thesecond chamber and spans the hinge. At 1701, the flexible substratedeforms to a deformed state within one or both of the first chamber orthe second chamber when the first device housing and the second devicehousing pivot about the hinge from a closed position to an axiallydisplaced open position.

At 1702, the flexible substrate of 1701 comprises a first end fixedlycoupled at a first location within the first device housing and a secondend fixedly coupled at a second location within the second devicehousing. At 1703, the first chamber of 1702 is situated between thefirst location and the hinge, while the second chamber is situatedbetween the second location and the hinge. At 1704, the flexiblesubstrate of 1703 removes deformations of the deformed state when thefirst device housing and the second device housing are pivoted about thehinge to the closed position.

At 1705, the flexible substrate of 1703 defines a curvilinear shape inone or both of the first chamber or the second chamber when in thedeformed state. At 1706, the curvilinear shape of 1705 defines at leastone apex and at least one nadir. At 1707, the first chamber and thesecond chamber of 1706 each have an upper surface and a lower surfacelimiting an amplitude of the at least one apex and a depth of the atleast one nadir.

At 1708, the upper surface and the lower surface of the first chamber of1707 comprise portions of the first device housing, while the uppersurface and the lower surface of the second chamber comprise portions ofthe second device housing.

At 1709, the electronic device of 1707 further includes a first supportplate pivotally coupled to a first side of the hinge and extendingdistally into the first chamber from the first side of the hinge. At1709, the electronic device further includes a second support platepivotally coupled to a second side of the hinge and extending distallyinto the second chamber from the second side of the hinge. At 1710, thefirst support plate of 1709 defines the upper surface of the firstchamber, while the second support plate of 1709 defines the uppersurface of the second chamber.

At 1711, each of the first chamber and the second chamber of 1709 definean inclined plane. At 1711, a distal end of each of the first supportplate and the second support plate travels along the inclined planebetween a first position within the first chamber and the secondchamber, respectively, to a second position within the first chamber andthe second chamber, respectively, when the first device housing and thesecond device housing pivot about the hinge from the axially displacedopen position to the closed position.

At 1712, the electronic device of 1711 further comprises a flexibledisplay coupled to the first device housing and the second devicehousing and spanning the hinge. At 1712, the flexible display spans afirst side of the hinge and the flexible substrate spans a second sideof the hinge.

At 1713, an electronic device comprises a first device housing and asecond device housing. At 1713, a hinge couples the first device housingand the second device housing. At 1713, the first device housing ispivotable about the hinge relative to the second device housing betweenan axially displaced open position and a closed position.

At 1713, a flexible substrate spans the hinge. At 1713, the flexiblesubstrate comprises a first end anchored within the first device housingat a first location and a second end anchored within the second devicehousing at a second location. At 1713, the flexible substrate defines afirst dynamic region between the first location and the hinge. At 1713,the flexible substrate defines a second dynamic region between thesecond location and the hinge. At 1713, the flexible substrate defines ahinge-spanning region between the first dynamic region and the seconddynamic region. At 1713, the first dynamic region and the second dynamicregion deform when the first device housing and the second devicehousing pivot about the hinge from the closed position to the axiallydisplaced open position.

At 1714, the first dynamic region and the second dynamic region of 1713extend a first distance between the hinge and the first location and thesecond location, respectively, when the first device housing and thesecond device housing pivot about the hinge from the axially displacedopen position to the closed position. At 1715, the first dynamic regionand the second dynamic region of 1714 extend a second distance betweenthe hinge and the first location and the second location, respectively,when the first device housing and the second device housing pivot aboutthe hinge from the closed position to the axially displaced openposition. At 1715, the second distance is less than the first distance.

At 1716, the electronic device of 1713 further comprises a firstelectronic circuit fixedly situated within the first device housing anda second electronic circuit fixedly situated within the second devicehousing. At 1716, the flexible substrate electrically couples the firstelectronic circuit to the second electronic circuit.

At 1717, one or both of the first dynamic region or the second dynamicregion of 1713 deform by transitioning from a substantially straightshape to a curvilinear shape. At 1718, the electronic device of 1713further comprises a first display coupled to the first device housingand a second display coupled to the second device housing.

At 1719, an electronic device comprises a first device housing and asecond device housing. At 1719, the electronic device comprises a hingecoupling the first device housing and the second device housing, withthe first device housing pivotable about the hinge relative to thesecond device housing between an axially displaced open position and aclosed position.

At 1719, the electronic device comprises a flexible substrate spanning afirst portion of the hinge. At 1719, the flexible substrate comprises afirst end anchored within the first device housing at a first locationand a second end anchored within the second device housing at a secondlocation. At 1719, the flexible substrate is less slack about the hingewhen the first device housing and the second device housing pivot aboutthe hinge to the closed position, and more slack about the hinge whenthe first device housing and the second device housing pivot to theaxially displaced open position.

At 1720, the electronic device of 1719 further comprises a flexibledisplay coupled to the first device housing and the second devicehousing. At 1720 the flexible display spans a second side of the hinge.

As shown and described, embodiments of the disclosure provide anelectronic device hinge. The hinge can include a hinge housing, whichmay define a channel through which a flexible substrate may pass. Theflexible substrate may then pass through a first chamber disposed to oneside of the hinge housing and a second chamber disposed to the secondside of the hinge housing. The portion of the flexible substrate passingthrough the first chamber can define a dynamic folding region, as canthe portion of the flexible substrate passing through the secondchamber. The portion spanning the hinge housing or the channel thereincan be static. When the first device housing and the second devicehousing are pivoted to the closed position, the dynamic regions can besubstantially flat. When the first device housing and the second devicehousing are pivoted to the axially displaced open position, the dynamicfolding regions can deform to a concertina or at least partiallysinusoidal shape. The first chamber and the second chamber can expandabout the dynamic regions to allow this deformation of the flexiblesubstrate when movable support plates are included. This shape can thenexpand back to the substantially straight shape when the electronicdevice is again closed.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in theart appreciates that various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forthin the claims below. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the disclosurehave been illustrated and described, it is clear that the disclosure isnot so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations,substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the following claims. Accordingly, the specification andfigures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within thescope of present disclosure. The benefits, advantages, solutions toproblems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, orsolution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as acritical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a first devicehousing and a second device housing; a hinge coupling the first devicehousing to the second device housing, the first device housing pivotableabout the hinge relative to the second device housing, the hingeseparating a first chamber defined by the first device housing and asecond chamber defined by the second device housing; and a flexiblesubstrate passing through the first chamber and the second chamber andspanning the hinge; and the flexible substrate deforming to a deformedstate within one or both of the first chamber or the second chamber whenthe first device housing and the second device housing pivot about thehinge from a closed position to an axially displaced open position; andthe flexible substrate removing deformations of the deformed state whenthe first device housing and the second device housing are pivoted aboutthe hinge to the closed position.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1,the flexible substrate removing deformations of the deformed state bylosing slack when the first device housing and the second device housingare pivoted about the hinge to the closed position.
 3. The electronicdevice of claim 1, the hinge situated between the first chamber and thesecond chamber.
 4. The electronic device of claim 3, the flexiblesubstrate comprising a first end fixedly coupled at a first locationwithin the first device housing and a second end fixedly coupled at asecond location within the second device housing.
 5. The electronicdevice of claim 1, the flexible substrate defining a curvilinear shapethat is at least partially oscillatory in one or both of the firstchamber or the second chamber when in the deformed state.
 6. Theelectronic device of claim 5, the curvilinear shape defining at leastone apex and at least one nadir.
 7. The electronic device of claim 6,the first chamber and the second chamber each having an upper surfaceand a lower surface limiting an amplitude of the at least one apex and adepth of the at least one nadir.
 8. The electronic device of claim 7,wherein the upper surface and the lower surface of the first chambercomprise portions of the first device housing, and wherein the uppersurface and the lower surface of the second chamber comprise portions ofthe second device housing.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a first support plate pivotally coupled to a first side ofthe hinge and extending distally into the first chamber from the firstside of the hinge; and a second support plate pivotally coupled to asecond side of the hinge and extending distally into the second chamberfrom the second side of the hinge.
 10. The electronic device of claim 9,wherein the first support plate defines an upper surface of the firstchamber and the second support plate defines an upper surface of thesecond chamber.
 11. The electronic device of claim 9, each of the firstchamber and the second chamber defining an inclined plane, wherein adistal end of each of the first support plate and the second supportplate travels along the inclined plane between a first position withinthe first chamber and the second chamber, respectively, to a secondposition within the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively,when the first device housing and the second device housing pivot aboutthe hinge from the axially displaced open position to the closedposition.
 12. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising aflexible display coupled to the first device housing and the seconddevice housing and spanning the hinge, the flexible display spanning afirst side of the hinge and the flexible substrate spanning a secondside of the hinge.
 13. An electronic device, comprising; a first devicehousing and a second device housing; a hinge coupling the first devicehousing and the second device housing, with the first device housingpivotable about the hinge relative to the second device housing betweenan axially displaced open position and a closed position; and a flexiblesubstrate spanning the hinge and comprising a first end anchored withinthe first device housing at a first location and a second end anchoredwithin the second device housing at a second location, the flexiblesubstrate defining: a first dynamic region between the first locationand the hinge; a second dynamic region between the second location andthe hinge; and a hinge-spanning region between the first dynamic regionand the second dynamic region; and the first dynamic region and thesecond dynamic region deforming at both the first dynamic region and thesecond dynamic region when the first device housing and the seconddevice housing pivot about the hinge from the closed position to theaxially displaced open position; the first dynamic region and the seconddynamic region extending a first distance between the hinge and thefirst location and the second location, respectively, when the firstdevice housing and the second device housing pivot about the hinge fromthe axially displaced open position to the closed position, andextending a second distance between the hinge and the first location andthe second location, respectively, when the first device housing and thesecond device housing pivot about the hinge from the closed position tothe axially displaced open position.
 14. The electronic device of claim13, the first dynamic region and the second dynamic region at leastpartially straightening when the first device housing and the seconddevice housing pivot about the hinge from the axially displaced openposition to the closed position.
 15. The electronic device of claim 13,wherein the second distance is less than the first distance.
 16. Theelectronic device of claim 13, the first dynamic region and the seconddynamic region becoming at least partially straightened when the firstdevice housing and the second device housing pivot about the hinge fromthe axially displaced open position to the closed position.
 17. Theelectronic device of claim 13, further comprising a first electroniccircuit fixedly situated within the first device housing and a secondelectronic circuit fixedly situated within the second device housing,the flexible substrate electrically coupling the first electroniccircuit to the second electronic circuit.
 18. The electronic device ofclaim 13, further comprising a first display coupled to the first devicehousing and a second display coupled to the second device housing. 19.An electronic device, comprising: a first device housing and a seconddevice housing; a hinge coupling the first device housing to the seconddevice housing, the first device housing pivotable about the hingerelative to the second device housing, the hinge separating a firstchamber defined by the first device housing and a second chamber definedby the second device housing; and a flexible substrate passing throughthe first chamber and the second chamber and spanning the hinge; a firstsupport plate coupled to a first side of the hinge; a second supportplate coupled to a second side of the hinge; and the flexible substratedeforming to a deformed state within one or both of the first chamber orthe second chamber when the first device housing and the second devicehousing pivot about the hinge from a closed position to an axiallydisplaced open position; and the flexible substrate removingdeformations of the deformed state when the first device housing and thesecond device housing are pivoted about the hinge to the closedposition.
 20. The electronic device of claim 19, the first support platepivotally coupled to the first side of the hinge and extending distallyinto the first chamber from the first side of the hinge, the secondsupport plate pivotally coupled to the second side of the hinge andextending distally into the second chamber from the second side of thehinge.